“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:1–2, NLT)
If you think about it, the Apostle Paul had many long and difficult roads to walk. He traveled many miles, often alone. He was shipwrecked, beaten, and imprisoned. He was rejected by whole groups of people. He was sometimes left alone to suffer. This went on for many years. Despite the truth of the matter, Paul wrote the above words from Ephesians 4:1-2 to the church people in Ephesus. With the words written, he expressed his hope that the Christians there would not only live a worthy life, but that they would “be patient with one another” and “make allowance for each other’s faults” (Ephesians 4:2). Paul was not just offering up platitudes. He lived this way. He practiced what he preached. And, you can never say that Paul was impatient. When it came to God in Christ, Paul was willing to keep on preaching and teaching as long as he could. Paul patiently worked toward the day when he was called home to Heaven.
Do you patiently endure hardships and challenges and difficult people? Are you willing to follow God’s plan for your life even when the road seems long, or painful moments arise?
Paul was just one of many in the Bible who had to be patient while waiting for God to act or for circumstances to change for the better. Isaiah was sent to preach God’s word to a sinful Israel. God told Isaiah that the people would reject his preaching for a long time. This even prompted the prophet Isaiah to ask God, “How long, O Lord?” (Isaiah 6:11). Isaiah was willing to speak for God, but the road was difficult, people would not listen to God’s voice, and Israel continued to sin. Isaiah suffered in many ways. He was vilified, mocked, rejected. In a weak moment, Isaiah begged God to tell him how long he had to endure this suffering.
Difficult situations are hard to endure. Difficult people make it even more arduous. Some people, even those who know God, even good people, may fall into sin. When they do, they don’t want to hear about it. Some will even retaliate against you, slander your good name, or make light of your hard work. In the scripture for today, Paul commands you to be patient with difficult people. It’s not that you withhold God’s word from them. You just may have to suffer all kinds of negativity from them. You need to “be patient” and “make allowance for their faults out of love” (Ephesians 4:2). This won’t be easy, but it will be faithful to Jesus’ plan for your salvation.
Think about this:
Abraham had to wait until he was 100 years old for a promise from God about a special son to be born was fulfilled. Sarah, his wife, had to wait until she was 90!
Joseph, son of Jacob, suffered a long time in prison waiting for his chance at freedom. And he was innocent of all charges and wrongfully accused!
Moses had to travel through the wilderness and deal with the sin of murder for years before God called him to lead the Hebrews out of bondage in Egypt.
Jeremiah was ignored and mistreated for prophesying in the name of God. They even beat him and put him into stocks in the public square to humiliate him. But every word he spoke from God came true.
Despite following God’s will and performing a miracle, Elijah was given a death sentence by the King and Queen of Israel.
Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt in order to save baby Jesus from the wrath of Herod. Many accounts list they may have had to endure two years of hardship in Egypt to keep Jesus safe.
I could go on and on about people in the Bible who had to suffer and endure patiently in their faithful quest to pursue God’s plan. Having patience is not easy. Being patient while suffering is painful. Remaining patient when you are wronged, slandered, made fun of, and falsely accused is downright torture. Still, to be faithful to God, your patience is required. It is a sign of your true faith.
John MacArthur wrote this about the scripture for today: “patience accepts God’s plan for everything. It doesn’t question God. A patient person says, “Lord, if this is what You have planned for me, that’s all right.” Romans 8:28 says, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Since God is in control, we can be patient, waiting for Him to work out His will.” (Strength for Today)
But will you be patient in the day of testing? Will you “make allowances” for the faults of others or stew and become bitter with their rejection? Shallow Christians believe that patience is easy and people will readily turn away from sin. Those with a deep and knowledgeable faith know better. We know that patience often requires suffering and that people frequently choose sin over God. You do know that people often default to sin rather than face the truth, right?
How patient are you? Are you patient even when undergoing suffering? Can you handle the ridicule of others despite your knowing and speaking God’s truth? Will you faithfully deal with the faults of others, without resentment and bitterness. and without becoming defensive or negative? Can you endure suffering without losing the ability to love in Jesus’ name?
✧✧✧
Do you patiently endure hardships and challenges and difficult people? Are you willing to follow God’s plan for your life even when the road seems long, or painful moments arise?
Paul was just one of many in the Bible who had to be patient while waiting for God to act or for circumstances to change for the better. Isaiah was sent to preach God’s word to a sinful Israel. God told Isaiah that the people would reject his preaching for a long time. This even prompted the prophet Isaiah to ask God, “How long, O Lord?” (Isaiah 6:11). Isaiah was willing to speak for God, but the road was difficult, people would not listen to God’s voice, and Israel continued to sin. Isaiah suffered in many ways. He was vilified, mocked, rejected. In a weak moment, Isaiah begged God to tell him how long he had to endure this suffering.
Difficult situations are hard to endure. Difficult people make it even more arduous. Some people, even those who know God, even good people, may fall into sin. When they do, they don’t want to hear about it. Some will even retaliate against you, slander your good name, or make light of your hard work. In the scripture for today, Paul commands you to be patient with difficult people. It’s not that you withhold God’s word from them. You just may have to suffer all kinds of negativity from them. You need to “be patient” and “make allowance for their faults out of love” (Ephesians 4:2). This won’t be easy, but it will be faithful to Jesus’ plan for your salvation.
Think about this:
Abraham had to wait until he was 100 years old for a promise from God about a special son to be born was fulfilled. Sarah, his wife, had to wait until she was 90!
Joseph, son of Jacob, suffered a long time in prison waiting for his chance at freedom. And he was innocent of all charges and wrongfully accused!
Moses had to travel through the wilderness and deal with the sin of murder for years before God called him to lead the Hebrews out of bondage in Egypt.
Jeremiah was ignored and mistreated for prophesying in the name of God. They even beat him and put him into stocks in the public square to humiliate him. But every word he spoke from God came true.
Despite following God’s will and performing a miracle, Elijah was given a death sentence by the King and Queen of Israel.
Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt in order to save baby Jesus from the wrath of Herod. Many accounts list they may have had to endure two years of hardship in Egypt to keep Jesus safe.
I could go on and on about people in the Bible who had to suffer and endure patiently in their faithful quest to pursue God’s plan. Having patience is not easy. Being patient while suffering is painful. Remaining patient when you are wronged, slandered, made fun of, and falsely accused is downright torture. Still, to be faithful to God, your patience is required. It is a sign of your true faith.
John MacArthur wrote this about the scripture for today: “patience accepts God’s plan for everything. It doesn’t question God. A patient person says, “Lord, if this is what You have planned for me, that’s all right.” Romans 8:28 says, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Since God is in control, we can be patient, waiting for Him to work out His will.” (Strength for Today)
But will you be patient in the day of testing? Will you “make allowances” for the faults of others or stew and become bitter with their rejection? Shallow Christians believe that patience is easy and people will readily turn away from sin. Those with a deep and knowledgeable faith know better. We know that patience often requires suffering and that people frequently choose sin over God. You do know that people often default to sin rather than face the truth, right?
How patient are you? Are you patient even when undergoing suffering? Can you handle the ridicule of others despite your knowing and speaking God’s truth? Will you faithfully deal with the faults of others, without resentment and bitterness. and without becoming defensive or negative? Can you endure suffering without losing the ability to love in Jesus’ name?
✧✧✧